Deep sea tongs



June 14, 1932. w M JOHNSON 1,862,539

' DEEP SEA TONGS Filed May 14, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l Invenior gmm Jun 14, 1932. v w. Mv JOHNSON 1,862,539

DEEP SEA TONGS Filed May 14, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 rs /4 A? Patented June 14, 1932 \MILLIA'M JOHNSON,

011 .MOB'ILE, .ALABAMA DEEP s'EA TONGS Application 'filed May- 14,

This invention relates to an-improved implement which may :be described briefly as deep sea tongs, and it has more particular reference toa -structure-of this general classification which is expressly designed for scooping and elevating oysters, sponge, coral, and analogous water inhabitants.

Present day devicesused for these purposes are generally cumbersome, exceptionally difa iicult LtO manipulate and handle, unduly heavy,-and not altogether satisfactory for expeditious Work.

Briefly stated, the improved tongs are characterized by-a plurality of parts among which are upper and lower duplex toggles arranged for independent operation, and having individual suspension ropes or cables, the

arrangement being such as to facilitate grappling and lifting of oysters, and subsequent releasing thereof.

A further feature of the invention is predicated upon novel tooth equipped jaw structures designed to Withstand burdensome V usage, and to provide effective means for 25 grabbing and lifting oysters and the like.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a pair of tongs constructed in accordance with the present invention showing gripping jaws closed.

Figure 2 is a side or edge elevational view thereof.

Figure 3 is a view of the upper portion of the structure showing the expanding and contracting toggles.

Figure 4 is a horizontal section on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a vertical section on the line 55 of Figure 2. Figure 6 is a fragmentary plan view of the gripping jaws.

The entire assembly may be seen in Figure 1 which, when compared with the other figures, will give a. clear idea of the construction and arrangement of parts. The tongs proper are denoted by the numeral 7 and these include a pair of bars arranged in intersecting relation and pivotally connected together as at 8 to define reach arms 9, and actuating handle 10. The handles 10 are disposed in i931. serialimr-ssnaev.

tilt customary outwardly diverging relations 11p.

-It will hevobservedthat theulowerendvportionsuof the arms9 are twisted itSiIldiiC-Mkd at 11 and 'thetwisted extremities :12 are securedappropriately toithe especially designed jaws :13. Each'zjawisthe same in construction anda description of one will SllifiCG'ffOT both. @111 side elevatioirtheij-aw is somewhat rectangular in configuration as indicated 1 in to Figure: 2. I

hit comprises a rectangular fralnei i114: and spaced parallel vertically disposed-wirespr rods :15' .whichifunction with the zframerto provide. object confining grids. Attachedsto'rthe lowertframe bar. as. shown in Figureifi is a horizontal angle iron :16, andsecured toithe horizontal-flange of this is an upstanding-I L- shapedattaching arm '17 The numer'al 18 designates a spaced perpendicular attaching member: of general T- shaped form having: its lowers-end:portion' 19 fastened to the vertical flange of 'theaangle iron 16. It is' between theset two lHQlIlbGIS 17 and 18 that the' arm extension 12is fastened.

Attached 'to and extendingat right: angles from the angle bars 16 are interfittingteeth 20 and-21. l next call-attentionto theznumeral 22 :Which designates-am upper; j aw contracting toggle. 'This is made up of "two pairs of links, the links being distinguished by the numerals .23 and'24;beingpivoted together at their upper-ends and pivoted 'tothe actuating arms 10 at their lower end. At the up per'or apex portion is -a=' clevis'-25- to which a hoisting and lowering chain, rope or the like 26 is connected.

" The numeral 527 designateS' theIIOWer awexpanding toggle composed of companion links-"28 and-1.29 'pivoted-to-one another at their lower-ends in Figure l' and pivoted at their upper endsin this figure to the -correspondingends'ofthe arms 10. "Thenumeral 30:designates a clevis for attaching the'operating-cord .or cable 31 to this'particular toggle. "The numerals 32 designated U sha'ped straps which cooperate with *theli1iks 23 a-nidflt as shown in *Figure 3 to limit the straightening of {the links 7-28 and 29in the W) posit-ion shown in Figure 3.

4 the jaws It is to be observed that the intersecting arms 9 and 10 are so arranged as to form a sturdy tong structure and that upper and lower toggles 22 and 27 are operatively connected therewith for independent and successive operation. The upper toggle 22 obviously constitutes the means for closing the jaws 13 against the oyster. Incidently these jaws co-operate with one another to provide a convenient and dependable grapple and receptacle for not only gripping the loads but for elevating it successfully.

The lower toggle 27 and its associated cable 31 constitutes the means for opening for releasing the load when it is brought to the surface. The lower toggle 27 has a limited degree of expansion as shown in Figure 2 so as to prevent the links 28 and 29 from passing beyond dead center.

This improved structure is sturdy and dependable, efficient in operation, easy to manipulate in descending as well as in ascending. All of the parts are especially selected and mechanically co-related to fulfill their respective functions. Consequently, the complete organization serves to provide a successfully operable grapple or tong structure.

It is thought that the description taken in connection with the drawings will enable a clear understanding of the invention to be had. Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary. While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

I claim: 7

and lifting cables connected to the jaw closing and jaw openin toggles at the mutual pivotal connection of their links.

3. A deep sea grapple of the type described comprising a pair of levers equipped at their lower ends with toothed jaws, the levers being crossed and pivoted together at the point of intersection and the portion of each lever above the point of intersection being angularly and outwardly directed, a jaw closing toggle having its ends pivotally connected to the extremities of the angularly directed portions of the lever, a jaw opening toggle likewise connected at its ends below the extremities of said angularly directed portions, a pivoted yoke embracing the upper end of (36h link of the jaw opening toggle adapted to en age the lower end portions of each link of the jaw closing toggle so as to prevent the links of the jaw opening toggle from moving into longitudinal alignment with each other, and lifting cables connected to the jaw closing and jaw opening toggles at the mutual pivotal connection of their links, each of said links comprising a pair of bars, one of which is positioned on each side of each lever.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

WILLIAM M. JOHNSON.

1. A deep sea grapple comprising a pair of pivotally connected intersecting levers, gripping jaws carried by the lower ends thereof, upper and lower independently operable toggles connected with the upper ends of said levers,the links of the lower toggle being provided near their upper ends with pivotally mounted sto s for limiting the degree of expansion of sai lower toggle.

2. A deep sea grapple of the type described comprising a pair of levers equipped at their lower ends with toothed jaws, the levers being crossed and pivoted together at the point of intersection and the portion of each lever above the point of intersection being-angularly and outwardly directed, a jaw closing toggle having its ends pivotally connected to the extremities of the angularly directed por tions of the lever, a jaw opening toggle likewise connected at its ends below the extremities of said angularly directed portions, a pivoted yoke embracing the upper end of each link of the jaw opening toggle adapted to engage the lower end portions of each link of the jaw closing toggle so as to prevent the links of'thej aw opening toggle from moving into longitudinal alignment with each other, 

